Even though the Devils’ 2013 season is over, we can still look back at some great moments in New Jersey’s playoff history.
On May 13…
2003- Four different Devils score goals, and Jay Pandolfo nets one and assists another, as the Devils blitz the Ottawa Senators 4-1 at Corel Centre in game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Martin Brodeur stops 30 of 31, as New Jersey evens the best-of-seven series at 1.
Even though the Devils’ 2013 season is over, we can still look back at some great moments in New Jersey’s playoff history.
On May 12…
1988- Mark Johnson and Patrik Sundstrom each record three-point games, leading the Devils to a 6-3 win over the Boston Bruins in game 6 of the Wales Conference finals at Brendan Byrne Arena.
New Jersey’s win evens the series at 3, forcing a winner-take-all game 7.
1995- Randy McKay’s goal at 8:51 of the first overtime lifts the Devils to a 1-0 win over the Bruins in game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at Brendan Byrne Arena.
New Jersey takes a commanding 3-1 series lead. Mike Peluso’s forecheck created the turnover that led to the goal, but it is McKay’s celebration that lives in the minds of Devils fans.
2001- Brian Rafalski and Patrik Elias each gain two assists, and Petr Sykora scores twice as the Devils claim a 3-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals at Continental Airlines Arena.
Pat Pickens
This is a series of posts on the Devils’ pending free agents (restricted and unrestricted). We’ll cover their strengths and weaknesses and end up with a final verdict on whether we think the Devils should re-sign the player. There will also be a poll at the end of each post so you guys can weigh in with your thoughts.
Position: Left Wing
Age: 33
2013 statistics: 30 games with NJ/2 goals, 5 assists, 7 points, minus-2 rating, 8 PIMs
Free-agent status: Unrestricted
2012-13 salary/cap hit: $1.8 million/$1.8 million (via Cap Geek)
Team history: Acquired in 2013 trade with Winnipeg Jets for conditional 2013 draft pick. Played in 33 games with the Devils during 2011-12 season, amassing 18 points.
What he brings: Ponikarovsky was a great checking-line forward in the Devils’ 2012 run to the Stanley Cup Finals. He scored a few timely goals this season and brings the always valubale “jam” to the lineup. ‘Poni’ also is a good dressing room leader and can play on any line.
Even though the Devils’ 2013 season is over, we can still look back at some great moments in New Jersey’s playoff history.
On May 11….
1994- John MacLean records two goals and two assists, and Claude Lemieux adds three points in New Jersey’s 5-3 win in game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Boston Garden.
The Devils claim the best-of-7 series, 4-2.
Pat Pickens
This is a series of posts on the Devils’ pending free agents (restricted and unrestricted). We’ll cover their strengths and weaknesses and end up with a final verdict on whether we think the Devils should re-sign the player. There will also be a poll at the end of each post so you guys can weigh in with your thoughts.
Position: Defense
Age: 36
2013 statistics: 48 games/4 goals, 15 assists, 19 points, minus-12 rating, 38 PIMs
Free-agent status: Unrestricted
2012-13 salary/cap hit: $4 million/$4 million (via Cap Geek)
Team history: Acquired in 2012 trade with Minnesota Wild for Nick Palmieri, Stephan Veilleux, Kurtis Foster and a third-round draft pick.
What he brings: There’s no doubt that the Zidlicky trade catapulted New Jersey to its deep playoff run in 2012. The Czech defenseman plays an offense-first game, in which he joins the rush and makes plays. He was the Devils’ lone offensive defenseman in 2013, often plays the power play and can go end to end like few other ‘D’ in the league.
Even though the New Jersey Devils are no longer playing as team, some Devils are still playing competitive hockey.
The IIHF World Championships are happening abroad– in Finland and Sweden, in fact. There are two Devils apiece on Teams USA and Russia and one on Team Sweden.
Ilya Kovalchuk posted three shots on goal in 23:19 of ice time in Team Russia’s stunning 2-1 loss to France on Wednesday.
Neither Kovalchuk, nor Andrei Loktionov gained points in Russia’s first tournament loss. Loktionov finished 6-for-11 on faceoffs.
In Sweden’s 3-0 loss to Canada, Devils defenseman Henrik Tallinder had two shots in 20:30.
I don't always vote for the cover of NHL14 but when I do I vote #NHL14Brodeur—
Martin Brodeur (@MartinBrodeur) May 09, 2013
Even though the Devils’ 2013 season is over, we can still look back at some great moments in New Jersey’s playoff history.
On May 9…
1994- Martin Brodeur stops all 22 shots he faces, pitching his first-career playoff shutout in New Jersey’s 2-0 win over the Boston Bruins in game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Brendan Byrne Arena.
2001- Patrik Elias scores twice, and Scott Stevens and John Madden each add a goal and an assist, as the Devils blitz the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-1 in game 7, winning the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series, 4-3.
Elias’ game-winning goal:
Corey Griffin
This is a series of posts on the Devils’ pending free agents (restricted and unrestricted). We’ll cover their strengths and weaknesses and end up with a final verdict on whether we think the Devils should re-sign the player. There will also be a poll at the end of each post so you guys can weigh in with your thoughts.
Position: Left wing
Age: 38
2013 statistics: 9 games with Devils/2 goal, 3 assists, 5 points/minus-4 rating, 4 PIMs
Free-agent status: Unrestricted
2012-13 salary/cap hit: $1.85 million/$2.6 million (via Cap Geek)
Team history: Drafted by Devils in ninth round (233rd overall) in 1994
What he brings: At a time when a lot of players are petering out, Sullivan managed to find a niche role for himself. Despite his advanced age, Sullivan can still put the puck in or immediately around the net. He showed that during his brief return to the Devils, serving as a solid, if unspectacular third-line winger for a severely banged-up Devils squad. He’s also responsible enough in his own zone that he’s not a liability in that sense and given his experience Sullivan can basically fit into any NHL system and pick it up pretty quickly. Also, as shown by his salary/cap hit above, you get a lot of bang for your buck with Sullivan, who had seven goals and 17 points in 33 total games this season and is still a half-a-point-per-game player.
Even though the New Jersey Devils are no longer playing as team, some Devils are still playing competitive hockey.
The IIHF World Championships are happening abroad– in Finland and Sweden, in fact. There are two Devils apiece on Teams USA and Russia and one on Team Sweden.
Stephen Gionta recorded his first IIHF World Championship goal, helping Team USA beat Team Finland 4-1 on Wednesday in Helsinki.
The U.S. scored three third-period goal, and Craig Smith netted a hat trick, as USA improved to 3-1.
Gionta’s linemate on the Devils Ryan Carter posted six penalty minutes and was a plus-1 in 14:44.
Devils defenseman Henrik Tallinder recorded three shots on goal and took a penalty in Team Sweden’s 5-1 win over Norway.
Tallinder played 19:11.
